In 2011 a new strategy for Lisburn Historic Quarter was developed covering the period from 2011 - 2021. Lisburn Historic Quarter Strategy fits within the overarching vision of the Lisburn City Centre Masterplan which promotes Lisburn City Centre as “A regional city with a historic heart”.
To implement this vision the Lisburn Historic Quarter Strategy identified five strategic themes with associated actions as priorities going forward;
- Investment and development
- Access, environment and heritage
- Employment and wealth creation
- Tourism, culture, arts and creative industries
- Civic pride and community engagement
Click here to view a copy of the Lisburn Historic Quarter Development Strategy 2011-2021.
Over the last decade much has been achieved under the themes identified. Heritage led regeneration is driving the sustainable economic development of the Historic Quarter. The Council continues its partnership work with Lisburn City Centre Management, which delivers several projects in the Historic Quarter on behalf of Lisburn City Council through the Lisburn Historic Quarter Partnership.
Projects completed through this initiative include:
Bridge Street Townscape Heritage Initiative - Focusing on Bridge Street, an area which suffered from high vacancy rates, this initiative saw the restoration Commercial Units; 25 Residential Units; 1 New Access Route connecting Castle Gardens to Bridge Street and 1 Communal Green Space. The investment through Bridge Street Townscape Heritage Initiative matched by investment from private property owners has seen over £4 million injected into the street bringing significant change. Today people are moving back into the street and it’s becoming a popular choice for small startup and retail businesses, something that was unimaginable in the late 1990's.
In 2011 the Bridge Street Partnership produced a book entitled 'Bridge Street Lisburn: A Decade of Renaissance'. The book describes the restorative works which have been undertaken in the first ten years of the project, showing before and after images illustrating the project success to date. Copies are available to purchase from the Irish Linen Centre, Lisburn Museum and the offices of Lisburn City Centre Management.
Lisburn Historic Quarter Marketing and Events Programme - has delivered a number of successful events and awareness initiatives across Lisburn Historic Quarter including a Family Fun Day held in Castle Gardens which ran in conjunction with the exciting Lisburn Power Stage of the Circuit of Ireland Rally, Culture night held in Lisburn City Centre, and guided walking tours of the Historic Quarter. Each September the Lisburn Heritage Festival takes place. Coinciding with European Heritage Open Day the festival organisers’ co-ordinate the opening of a number of historic properties for people to visit that they would not normally have access to alongside this a number of activities and attractions are in place to celebrate Lisburn's rich heritage. Most of the events are free of charge and attract visitors from across the city and boarding towns and villages.